Steam sprayer



, 7 Feb. 5, 1935. A, BREUER 1,989,912

STEAM SPRAYER Filed Feb. 27, 1933 2 SheetSSheef 1 & mm m "WWWMWWWIIVQ WWZIYVEJT: UP

ADAM A .BEEUEE.

* Mg rr Feb. 5, 1935. A. A. BREUER STEAM SPRAYER Filed Feb. 27, 1933 2Sheets-Sheet 2 ADAM A. B05052.

Patented Feb. 5, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to sprayers used fordisinfectants, insecticides and the like and more particularly to asprayer wherein steam is utilized to convey the chemical substance, forinstance insecticides, disinfectants or the like, to the atmosphere.

There are many instances where the use of a small hand sprayer appearsto be inadequate to secure satisfactory results without considerableeffort on the part of the operator. For instance, in large rooms such aslounging rooms of hotels, clubs and the like which are so large as tomake the effect of a small hand pump sprayer almost imperceptible, andfor instance in fumigating rooms in hospitals or homes after or duringillness or freshening air in rooms or other spaces where the air hasbecome oppressive. The portable hand sprayers of the pump type haveproved inadequate for use in such instances as enumerated.

The present invention has to do with a readily portable sprayer whereinsteam is utilized as the vehicle for discharging the spray solution tothe atmosphere.

Another object of the invention is to provide a readily portable sprayapparatus wherein steam is generated and the spray fluid discharged bysteam with ejector action.

A further object of the invention is to provide 30 a spray apparatuswith means for containing a quantity of spray solution, such asdisinfectant, insecticide or the like, and means for generating steamtogether with means whereby the steam may discharge the chemical orfluid by ejector action and which, when once set in motion, continuesfor an appreciable length of time before requiring replenishment.

The above, other and further objects of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description, accompanying drawings, and appendedclaims.

An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and the views thereof are as follows:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a steam sprayer constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the apparatus of Figures 1 and2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the illustratedform of steam generator, and showing certain details of construction.

Figure 5 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken substantially inthe plane of line V-V of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged view, partially in vertical section, andpartially broken away, through the longer axis of the illustrated formof apparatus.

Figure '7 is a fragmental view of a portion of a top of the apparatusshowing the discharge spout, its full lines in one position fordischarge, and the dotted lines in different angular position.

The drawings will now be explained.

The form of apparatus chosen to exemplify the present inventioncontemplates a casing designated generally at A and constructed to havetwo cylindrical portions 1 and 2 which are supported by means of legs orfeet 3 on a table or other suitable surface 4. The portions 1 and 2 arenot complete cylinders in plan but are arranged to intersect, as shownin Fig. 3, to substantially surround the containers for the chemical andthe water. The containers for the chemical and the water are hereinshown as jars 5 and 6, constructed like Mason jars, and arranged in sideby side relation within the portions 1 and 2 of the casing A. Forconvenience the jar 5 for containing the chemicals, such asdisinfectant, insecticide, or the like will herein be termed thechemical container and the jar 6, wherein steam is generated, will betermed the steam generator or boiler.

Preferably the jar 6, forming the steam generator or boiler, is made ofPyrex glass or some similar substance so as not to readily break whensubjected to extremes of temperature during the use of the apparatus.

The upper ends of the jars 5 and 6 are externally threaded to receivecaps 7 and 8. The cap '7 is for the chemical container 5, while the cap8 is for the steam generator or boiler 6. The caps '7 and 8 preferablyare of material such as Bakelite or the like and provided with metallicthreaded skirts 9 and 10 respectively for engaging the threaded ends ofthe jars 5 and 6.

The cap 7 for the chemical container is provided with a filling aperture11 which is normally closed by a swinging lid 12 which is fastened tothe cover by a rivet 13 or like instrumentality. Cover 7 is providedwith an opening 14 for a purpose to be later explained.

The lid or cover 8 for the steam boiler or generator 6 is provided withan enlarged filling opening normally closed by a removable plug 15, anopening 16, and a depression 17 formed in the upper surface of the coverfor receiving a washer 18 as a seat for a safety valve ball 19. 5

The under side of the cover, about the depression or recess 17, isprovided with a downwardly extending wall 20 through which passes thestem 21 of the safety Valve and about which stem is a spring 22 fornormally maintaining the ball 19 against its seat 18. The spring 22 istensioned by means of a nut 23 threaded on the stem 21 and retained inadjusted position by lock nut 24. A washer 25 bears against the lowerend of the spring 22 and serves as a seat for this end of the spring.The other end of the spring rests against an apertured flange 26 formingthe base of the depression 17.

The filling hole, normally closed by the cap 15,

is of suitable size and is preferably threadedto receive the cap inthreaded engagement.

The cover 8 for the steam generator orboiler 6" is further provided withtwo closely adjacent openings 27 and 28 for receiving the upper ends ofbolts 29 and 39 respectively. The bolts are retained in position in thecover 8 by means of nuts 31a. and 31 engaging against the top side andbottom side respectively of the cover. Additional nuts 32 are threadedonto the upper ends of the bolts to serve as means for attachingelectrical conductors 33 and 34 to the bolts. The bolts 29 and extenddownwardly and terminate a short distance above the bottom of the steamgenerator or boiler 6. Surrounding each of the bolts is a tube 35 whichat the upper end engages against suitable grooves in the underside ofthe cover 8 and at the lower end engages against a bottom plate 36 whichis carried on the lower ends of the bolts 29 and 30.- Within the tubes35 and against the bottom plate 36 and surrounding each of the bolts 29and 30 is a carbon block 37. Spaced above the carbon blocks 37 andsurrounding'the bolts 29 and 30 are other carbon blocks 38 each of whichis of less height than the blocks 37. The upper blocks 38 are disposedon the bolts 29 and 30 so as to lie just below the surface of thewaterin the boiler when the boiler is filled to the water line 100. The tubes35 and the bottom plate are made of insulating material such forexample, as Bakelite, to prevent accident,

such as a short circuit, in the event the cover 8 and its connectedparts were removed from the container 6 while current was on through thebolts and the carbon block electrodes.

The tubes 35 are apertured opposite each other as at 3 9 opposite theupper carbon blocks 38 and at opposite the lower carbon blocks 37. Thepurpose of the apertures 39 and 40 is'toadmit water to the interiors ofthe tubes and thus subject the water to passage of electriccurrentbetween the carbon blocks or the electrodes for generating steam.

The upper ends of the bolts are covered by a suitable cover member 41which is removably attached to the cover 8 by a screw 42. The cover 41has a branch 43 for receiving a cable 44 'carrying the wires 33 and 34to the bolts29 and 30 which cable at its other end is provided withsuitable means for making electrical connection with a suitable'outlet.

Connected between the casing members 1 and 2 is a bracket 45 to which isattached a handle 46 for use in moving the apparatus or for holding itduring any part of its spraying action. A header, designated generallyat B, is provided for connecting the interiors of the containers 5 and 6in such manner that the steam generated in the steam generator or boiler6 may be utilized to discharge the liquid within the chemical container;5.- The. header comprises two similar.

castings 47 and 48 each of which is provided with an axial bore 49 forreceiving a connecting pin 50 for retaining the parts in assembledrelation and also serving as an axis about which the spout 51 may begiven angular movements for spray discharge. The portion 47 of theheader is provided with an angle casting 52 which is adapted to enterthrough the opening 16 in the cover 8 and be secured therein by means ofa nut 53,1ock washer 54 and lock nut 55. The extremity of the angleportion 52 is threaded to receive the nut. The angle extension 52 isprovided with a bore 56 which communicates with a longitudinallyextending bore 57 in the member 47 of the header. The inner face of theheader is provided with a circular groove or channel 58 with which thebore 57 communicates.

In like manner the member 48 is provided with an angle extension 59which is provided with a shoulder 60 for resting against the outersurface tom of the chemical container 5 and communicates with a bore 63within the annularextension:

59. The bore 63 communicates with a longitudinally extending bore 64formed in the port 48 of the header, and the inner surface of the momber48 of the header is provided with a like circular channel 65 with whichthe bore 64 communicates. p 1

The spout 51 has at its lower end a circular enlargement designated 66with the outer surfaces of this enlargement each provided with anannular groove 67 for mating respectively with the grooves 65 and 58 inthe members 48 and 47 respectively of the header. The spout 51 isprovided witha transverse bore.68 which extends inwardly from the groove67 at the right hand side thereof, as viewed in Fig. 6, part way of thewidth of the spout and which bore communicates with a vertical bore 69leading upwardly centrally of the spout. Another lateral bore '70communicates with the groove 6'? on the left hand side of the spout asviewed in Fig. 6 which lateral bore communicateswith a vertical bore-'71 extending upwardly through the spout in spaced relation. to theaxial bore 69. The bore 71 extends to the extremity of the spout. Theupper end of the spout 51 is provided'with a counter bore 72 which isthreaded for receiving reduced threaded end 73 of a nozzle tip '74.Reduced por-.

tion 73 of the nozzle 74 is centrally apertured to register withthe'vertical bore 69 within the spout. The bore 73a of the nozzle tipcommunicates witha restricted passage 75 which merges into an enlargeddischarge orifice 76. The nozzle tip 74 is so constructed as to providean annular groove '77 immediately below the nozzle tip '74. The duct 71communicates with this annular groove. A perforated washer 78 isinterposed within this groove for making a fiuid tight joint between thespout and nozzle. The nozzle tip 74 is provided with an inclined bore'79 which leads from the groove 77 and opens into the discharge orifice76 just inwardly of the outer extremity of said orifice. The chemicalwithin the chemical container 5 is sucked through this duct by action ofthe steam as it emerges from the orifice 76 where the chemical uniteswith the steam in a chemical vapor when it is discharged to theatmosphere.

Apertured washers 80 are interposed between the inner ends of themembers 47 and 48 and the spout 51 for providing steamtight joints.

The casings l and 2 of the member A are provided with cutout portions 81through which the contents of the containers may be observed as desired.The casing 2, which is the one illustrated as containing the chemicalcontainer 5, may be provided with suitable graduations 82 for indicatingthe amount of chemical within this container.

The pin 50 which retains the header members in operative relation isprovided with a head 83 at one end and a nut 84 at the other end. Aspring 85 is interposed between the head 83 and an adjacent portion ofthe header to tension the engagement of the header parts 47 and 48 ofthe spout 51 and thus maintain the same in steamtight relationship.

It will be observed that inasmuch as Fig. 6 is taken substantially inthe plane of line VI-VI of Fig. 3, electrodes 29 and 30 are absent fromthis figure.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

Suitable chemical, such as disinfectant, insecticide, perfume, or thelike, is inserted in the chemical container which is done by removingthe cover 7 from the container and filling it to a desired height. Thesteam generator or boiler 6 is filled to the water line with waterthrough the Water opening normally closed by the plug 15. When it isdesired to use the apparatus, the conductor cable 44 is connected tosuitable electrical outlet whereupon current passes through theelectrodes 29 and 30 and circuit is established between these electrodesthrough the water within the steam generator or boiler. The provision ofthe carbon blocks 38, near the surface of the water, aids in heating thesurface of the water and thus hastens vaporization and boiling, so thatin a comparatively short time after the current is turned on the machineis in operation. As the water is increased in temperature, the steamforms and escapes through the duct 56 and issues from the orifice 76 inthe spout 51. The liquid within the chemical container 5 is thereforedrawn from this container by ejector action with the chemical enteringthe stream of steam in the orifice 76 through the duct 79 Where it ismixed and issues to the atmosphere as steam vapor. The sprayer may beplaced in any suitable position with respect to the work to be done.Suppose for instance that it is desired to disinfect a hospital room orsick room at home, then the sprayer may be placed on the floor or on atable and allowed to operate until the water in the boiler is spent.When the water in the boiler is exhausted to the low level mark of 4,circuit is broken between the electrodes 29 and 30 and thus theoperation of the sprayer automatically ceases.

It has been found that sprayers constructed in accordance with thepresent invention utilizing containers 5 and 6 of quart capacities, willoperate for approximately an hour with one filling of water in the steamgenerator or boiler.

The presence of the steam adds to the humidity in the room and serves tohasten the effect of the chemical issuing from the chemical container 5.

The invention has been described herein more or less precisely as todetails, yet it is to be understood that the invention is not to belimited thereby, as changes may be made in the arrangement andproportion of parts, and equivalents may be substituted, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A hand portable sprayer including in combination, two containers inside by side relation, covers for each of said containers, an elongatedheader communicating with both containers through said covers andconnected to one cover and having a lateral spout as a part thereof,said spout being oscillatable about the header axis to direct spraydischarge in desired angular direction, said spout having two passagesthrough it in spaced relation, said header having one passageestablishing communication between one of said spout passages and one ofthe containers and having another passage establishing communicationbetween the other of said spout passages and the other of saidcontainers, a nozzle inserted in said spout and having a passagecommunicating with the passage from the first mentioned container and anorifice for discharge to the atmosphere, the nozzle also having a boretherein leadin from the passage from the second mentioned container andcommunicating with the first mentioned nozzle discharge passage behindits orifice.

2. An insect exterminator apparatus which may be put in any convenientplace in a room for use and having an adjustable spray discharge nozzlewhich may be adjusted angularly to direct the spray discharge in anydesired direction; said apparatus including two containers, one forwater and one for insecticide; a base member for supporting saidcontainers in side by side relation; covers for said containers; anelectric heating unit carried by the cover for the water container forgenerating steam in said container; a header connected to the cover forthe water container; said header having a duct in it communicating withthe interior of said water container; a tube extending through the coverfor the insecticide container to be submerged in the insecticide in saidcontainer; said header having a duct communicating with said tube; anozzle pivoted in said header and having a passage communicating withthe duct from the water container and open to the atmosphere for steamdischarge; said nozzle having another passage communicating with theduct from the insecticide container and opening into said first namedpassageway adjacent the opening of said first passageway so that whensteam issues from said nozzle the insecticide will be drawn into thesteam and diffused with it.

A spraying apparatus of the type wherein steam is generated in onevessel and discharged through an orifice and a liquid such asinsecticide, disinfectant, or medicament withdrawn from another vesselby suction action is commingled with the steam prior to discharge;comprising two vessels in side by side relation, one adapted to containwater and the other adapted to contain the desired liqLL'd; detachablecovers for said vessels; an elongated header communicating with bothvessels through the covers thereof and connected to one of said coversand having a laterally extending spout as a part thereof oscillatableabout the header axis to direct the spray discharge in desired angulardirection; a nozzle tip secured in said spout and having a dischargeorifice; means providing communication through said header, nozzle andtip between the interior of the water vessel and said discharge orificefor steam discharge; other means providing communication through saidheader, nozzle and tip between the interior of said liquid vessel andsaid last mentioned means behind said orifice, whereby on passage ofsteam through said first mentioned means liquid will be drawn into thesteam and diffused with it; and'an electric heater supported by thecover of the water vessel and positioned within said vessel forvaporizing the contained Water.

ADAM A. BREUER.

